The torsion meter: a critical review.

The purpose of this study was to determine how effectively the torsion meter measures vertebral rotation. Nine thoracic vertebrae from three disarticulated spines were individually rotated through an arc of 0-60 degrees and measured with a torsion meter by three investigators. One hundred forty-four errors were made in the 351 measurements, of which greater than 92% were within +/- 5 degrees.

Lumbosacral spinal fusion with Knodt distraction rods.

Knodt distraction rods have been used in conjunction with lumbar spinal decompression and/or fusion to open the intervertebral foramen. A review was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of the Knodt Rods in 24 patients with multiple level foramenal canal stenosis. All 24 patients were treated by wide decompressive laminectomy, foramenotomies and bilateral-lateral fusion.